Re: [CR]Selling inventory that isn't - unethical ebay brokers/sellers

(Example: Racing:Wayne Stetina)

From: "Steve Neago" <questor@cinci.rr.com>
To: "Jan Heine" <heine@mindspring.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <20021116191400.33239.77968.Mailman@phred.org> <a05010401b9fc4a70d4de@[165.121.24.117]>
Subject: Re: [CR]Selling inventory that isn't - unethical ebay brokers/sellers
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 19:20:13 -0500

<<Selling inventory that isn't: As long as the seller makes it clear that this is the case, I don't have a problem with it.>>

I believe that ebay does have a problem with broker/seller auctions based on speculation where the broker does not have legal title nor authorization to put the item up for auction. I also view speculation auctions as deceptive to the potential buyer because they make available the bidders ebay name and possibly address contact info when they bid on an item that may not really available. This provides the unethical broker/seller with a marketing contact list without selling the item and without paying full ebay fees for future sales based on their names obtained through ebay.

There are unethical sellers who place a highly desired auction item on ebay, set an extremely high reserve price that is not disclosed and likely not met, then troll for ebay bidder names to add to their third party sales mail list as the auction progresses. Other unethical sellers also use this high reserve amount method to avoid ebay auction fees on a high-bidder below reserve auction by contacting the bidders after the auction has ended and offering to sell the original or similar items outside of ebay to avoid ebay fees. Buyers who choose to go this route risk possible deception with no recourse for help from ebay, limited as it may be, because the transaction was completed outside of ebay.

The following is taken from the current ebay user agreement...

Ebay Listing and Selling. 5.1 Listing Description. You must be legally able to sell the item(s) you list for sale on our site. You must describe your item and all terms of sale on the listing page of our site. Your listings may only include text descriptions, graphics, pictures and other content relevant to the sale of that item.

Regards, Steve Neago "Getting use to cold weather in Cincinnati, OH"


----- Original Message -----
From: Jan Heine
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 2:24 PM
Subject: [CR]Selling inventory that isn't


Selling inventory that isn't: As long as the seller makes it clear that this is the case, I don't have a problem with it. When I go to a bike shop to buy something, they often special-order it.

If somebody finds a stash of stuff, but is afraid to buy because they don't know what the market value is, I don't mind if they propose the items, as long as they say "I think I can get this. Are you insterested?" Of course, publicly advertising something for sale that you don't own is a different story.

In fact, the René Herse book order I am placing on Monday is like that: Almost all books I order are sold already.

Jan Heine, Seattle